Kazheesirama Vinnagaram (Thadalan Kovil), Sirkazhi,
Nagapattinam – Legends
Vishnu teaching a lesson to Brahmma on pride of his boon
of longevity:
Lord
Brahmma the creator grew proud of his boon of longevity spanning many
Yugas. Lord Vishnu decided to teach him a lesson. Sage Romesa
performed penance here for the darshan of Lord Vamana-Trivikrama form scaling
the whole world with one foot up. Granting his wish, Lord told the sage
that he would live longer than Brahmma whose longevity would be reduced by a
year if and when one hair fell from his body.
Brahmma
understood that Lord has indirectly taught him a lesson and shed his pride. Thus
Lord graced this place with his Trivikrama form. This is said to be the place
where Lord Vishnu in his Vaamana Avatara measured his first step. At this Divya
Desam, only the left foot of the Lord can be seen every day. The right foot is
displayed only once a year on the Vaikunta Ekadesi day.
Shangu Pushkarani and Chakra Theertham:
The
Sangu which yields Paramapadham and Chakram which gives all wealth lays here as
Shangu Pushkarani and Chakra Theertham.
Sri Rama Vinnagaram:
The term
Rama is equivalent to number one for he had one wife, one arrow, one word, one
rule and one dharma. As the perumal of this place too is the only ruler of the
whole world this place is called Sri Rama Vinnagaram.
Etymology:
Thal in
Tamil means Earth or World, Aalan means the ruler. As Lord scaled the world
with his Foot, Sri Andal called him Thadalan. The verses of Sri Andal are
pieces of delight with sweet melody of Tamil coupled with their spiritual
content.
Birth place of Saivite Saint Tirugnanasambandar:
Sirkali
has the special reputation of being the birth place of Saivite Saint
Tirugnanasambandar.
Debate between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar:
Once the
temple was left without proper care, hence an old woman kept the procession
deity Thadalan inside the Thavittu (husk) pot. She performed poojas and
was worshipping him. After visiting Thiru Chitra Koodam (Chidambaram),
Thirumangai Mannan was on his way to Sirkazhi. All the way his subjects sang
praise of him uttering different names of Mangai Mannan. The praise of Thirumangai
Mannan by his subjects angered the disciples of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar. They
blocked Thirumangai Mannan and asked his followers not to shout praises of
Thiru Mangai Mannan in this birthplace of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.
They
wanted Thirumangai Mannan to engage with Thiru Gnana Sambandhar in a debate and
win over him before continuing with their praise of Thirumangai Mannan. In the
dream of Alwar, Lord appeared and told him that to get Thadalan from the
old woman, pray to him and after that go for the debate. In the first
meeting between Thiru Mangai and Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, the Vaishnavite poet
answered fluently each of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar’s questions and let out 10
verses of praise in the name of Vishnu.
“ஒரு குறளாய் இரு
நிலம் மூவடி மண் வேண்டி
உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒடுக்கி ஒன்றும் தருக
ஏனா மாவழிய சிறையில் வைத்த
தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர்
தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்
திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி ஐந்தும்
அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்
தெருவில் மலி விழா வளமும் சிறக்கும்
காழிச்சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”
உலகு அனைத்தும் ஈர் அடியாள் ஒடுக்கி ஒன்றும் தருக
ஏனா மாவழிய சிறையில் வைத்த
தாடாளன் தாள் அணைவீர்
தக்க கீர்த்தி அரு மறையின்
திரள் நான்கும் வேள்வி ஐந்தும்
அங்கங்கள் அவை ஆறும் இசைகள் ஏழும்
தெருவில் மலி விழா வளமும் சிறக்கும்
காழிச்சீராம வின்னகரே சேர்மின் நீரே ”
Pleased
and impressed with Mangai Mannan’s knowledge and the sweetness in his praise
and description of the different forms of Vishnu, a spell bound Thiru Gnana
Sambandhar acknowledged the greatness of Thirumangai and crowned him as ‘Mangai
Azhvaar’. Sambandar was very happy and rewarded Alwar with his Vel which is
given by Goddess Parvathi and also an anklet. Both of them hugged each
other and bore good bye in a sad mood and paved way to the unity of Saivam and
Vaishnavam.